“We called the police when we were attacked. Nobody has come until now,” said Hilton Nayek, an advocate in Baliguda court. He said he could neither go back to his home nor visit the court.

Asked about their plight, Kishan Kumar, Collector of Kandamal, said: “We will arrange for relief camps shortly. This includes in areas like Firingia, G Udaygiri, Tikabali and K Nuagan.”

When asked about complaints of police inaction, DIG R P Kuche said: “We are doing our best to control the violence and protect the innocent. The process takes some time. I will look into the matter of police personnel present during any vandalism. Our priority is to restore law and order.”

Said Saytabrata Sahu, Divisional Revenue Commissioner of Kandamal: “We are trying to provide relief to everyone affected. We have formed peace committees. This is all I can say.”